iRobot Scooba experience

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mosmos

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ktee

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A white 5900 (early 2006 model) + a white battery (3000mAh only released since 2008) is a strange combination, the extra heavy 5900 & slowness requires 4100mAh batt to complete 500 sq ft (as claimed by iRobot).

Roomba 400 series isn't air tight like 500 series, most common dustball obstruction is bumper sensor (not cliff sensor), but easily resolved using ball/bicycle pump with needle nozzle thru battery insert holes.

I'm contemplating a few simple "anti-crap-accumulation" mods for 400 series:
a) use balloon & twisty wire to encase the bumper arm-to-IR sensor
b) use thick rigid straw (from Sweet Talk) to shield the main motor-to-gear shaft
c) a mod by iRobot SG technician - use scotch tape to cover main motor air vents. I didn't like this idea, but new revised Roomba 500 main motor doesn't have air vents anyway, so I guess venting isn't that crucial

Very early 400 series (fixed caster wheel) is prone to charging circuit damage while trying to charge REALLY dead battery.

I searched thru my old post and found this:

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showpost.php?p=32936022&postcount=4975

You can go to page 332 to read more.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1626560&page=332

It is a 5806 with white batt. Manufactured in 2008 which is the yr i got it.

OMG, i keep it for almost 2 yrs in box! But i am glad becoz it means my 380 is still downlorry. :s13:
 
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Zanter

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Bro. Do u know how long the discount code is valid till? Thanks.

Just received the scooba and cant wait to test it out
 

mosmos

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Don collect dust, donate the core unit to me & I can make good use of it :)



The 500 series is easy to clean, all you need is a small paint brush which I always supply to my customer.

500 series' main components is all covered up so it's not that messy compared to 400.

:( you want to buy from me, I got a moving 380 + 5800 ~
 

uno_bliss

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It is a 5806 with white batt. Manufactured in 2008 which is the yr i got it.
5806 is vintage stuff, it was the 1st transition from metal handle slow 5800 w/ 4100mAh to lightweight fast 5800 w/ 3000mAh.

It's a 340 (850 sq ft) equivalent, except with lower capacity batt.
340 was released in 2007 using the same mold & parts from 380 (grey theme), minus the External Charging Base & 2nd Virtual Wall.

Shortly after emergence of 5806 (mid 2008), 330 w/ 3000mAh batt was released and had "500 sq ft" printed on retail box.
The "500 sq ft" retail box didn't last long (maybe 3 mths) before iRobot changed retail box wordings to "250 sq ft" instead.
I believe the reason is no one was buying 350 (500 sq ft), which iRobot could sell for US$100 more.

As 3000mAh batt was still in production until early 2010, 330 with early 2010 factory date still came with it.
The current batch WOOT 330 comes with 4100mAh, it could mean 3000mAh batt has ceased production. A cost cutting measure by iRobot, since running 2 production lines probably cost more.

iRobot has whipped out a series of cost-cutting measures since 2009.
They're making big money in their Military robots, and their market penetration of home robots is unshakeable due to millions of long time fans & many "user contributed" support forums.

Eg. of cost-cutting measures (Roomba):
- Bundling NiCD instead of NiMH for Roomba
- Removing Lighthouse feature from 560, saving on 3 Bluetooth chips per Roomba
- Reduction in size of Roomba 500 series box = less storage space required since warehouse space are rented
- The new recycled paper pulp packing vs earlier styrofoam packing is probably a Green Life initiative where big US corporation have to set good example

Eg. of cost-cutting measures (Scooba):
- Scooba Enzyme solution is probably more Green Life friendly vs Clorox, a smaller Enzyme solution bottle packs more usage than a larger bottle Clorox, so less storage space
- Less printed wordings on Scooba 330 main unit, now it's mostly molded bevel wordings. Printing words require a production line, molding words just requires modification to the mold cast
- Scooba 330 is now Made in China, whereas it used to be Assembled in China. We can expect much lower QC & DOA:o
 

DigDub

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I just got the roomba 563 pet series. quite effective in cleaning up my dog's fur. seldom see my house floor so fur free. LOL. but the plastic loop for the brush like not very good for removing the hair from the brush, use hand pick our faster. the dust collector bin can wash one or not huh?
 

uno_bliss

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... use hand pick our faster. the dust collector bin can wash one or not huh?
The round brush tool has a side comb, which may be useful.
Dust collector bin with yellow filter cannot wash cos got motor inside.
High capacity sweeper bin with red press-to-slide-out button has no motor, so can wash.
 

tekster

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strange le mosmos, my box stated 14/2048. while yours is 7000. heh...

anyway, glad to have scooba running. so surprised to see all the yucky water. ugh!
 

mosmos

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strange le mosmos, my box stated 14/2048. while yours is 7000. heh...

anyway, glad to have scooba running. so surprised to see all the yucky water. ugh!

:s22: I think is all old stocks of diff batches collect back from retailers~
 

letdoit

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if shipping cost is USD$50 + 5% of the product. is it cheap or expensive to ship out irobot 560?
 

ktee

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Mosmos, your offer code for Bdx is still valid. I get 30% off my shippin cost for my camcorder fr Amaz0n. Thanks! But the GST is killing...

Btw, Bdx also chg fuel surcharge. Mini is usd1.72. :s11:
 

mosmos

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Mosmos, your offer code for Bdx is still valid. I get 30% off my shippin cost for my camcorder fr Amaz0n. Thanks! But the GST is killing...

Btw, Bdx also chg fuel surcharge. Mini is usd1.72. :s11:

yes borderlinx do charge fuel~ :s22:
 
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